Shelf for supporting cheese



(No Model.)

J. J. SINGLBY. SHELF FOR SUPPURTING CHEESE.

No. 442,148. Patented Deo. 9, 1890.

'V /Y i l STATES TTn PATENT Ormea.

JOSEPH. J'. SINGLEY,O1 `EL DORADO, KANSAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 412,148, dated December9, 1890.

Application tiled April 23, 1890. Serial No. 349,111. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern.:

Be it known that l, JOSEPH J. SINGLEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at El Dorado, in the county of Butler and State of Kansas, haveinvented a new and useful Shelf for Supporting Cheese, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to shelves for supporting cheese during theprocess of curing andripeningthe same; andithas forits object toconstruct a shelf which shall admit of the more thorough ventilation ofthe cheese than the solid shelves now customarily employed.

lith this end in view my invention consists, primarily, of a screenforming the supv porting-shelf.

The invention further consists in the combination, with such screen, ofa pan connected detachably with and arranged underneath the same, so asto catch the dust resulting from the ripening process, thus enabling thedust and dirt to be conveniently removed and the sheltl to be kept in aclean and pure condition.

The invention further consists in the construction and arrangement ofdetails, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure l is a perspective view of one ofmy improved shelves with the dust-pan attached thereto. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the dust-pan detached. Fig. 3 is a transversesectional view of the shelf and dust-pan. Fig. .1. is a perspective viewof a rack supporting anumber of my improved shelves.

Lilie numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures ofthe drawings.

l designates a suitablyconstructed rectangular frame, which maybe madeot' wood, and which is provided with trai'isverse braces i 2, arrangedat suitable distances apart. The npper side of said fra-mc is coveredwith a screen 23 of wire-netting, which constitutes my improvedsupporting-shelf. The screen may be secured to the frame by means ofnails or staples or in any other convenient manner.

4. designates a rectangular frame, which is provided with a transversebrace 5, which is extended forwardly so as to form a handle o. rlheframe 4. provided with a covering 7,

which may be of cloth or of any other suitable material, such as sheetmetal. The rear cross-bar of the frame 4. is provided withupwardly-extending hooks S, which are adapted to catch over the rearcross-bar of the shelfframe. rlhe brace 5 of the frame 4. has anupwardly-extending spring-catch 9, which is adapted to catch over thefront cross-bar ot' the shelf-frame.

In operation any desired number of the shelf-frames may be arranged uponthe crossbars 10 of a suitably-constructed rack ll. The dust-pansconsisting of the frames Lt may be arranged under each of the shelves,or they may be in practice transferred from one shelf to another, asoccasion may require. The cheese is supported upon the shelves directl yabove the dust-pans, and the latter will catch any dust and impuritiesthat may drop from the cheese. After the cheese are removed from theshelves, the latter may be readily cleaned by simply brushing them witha dry brush, when all remaining impurities will be caused to drop intothe dust-pans, which may afterward be readily removed and emptied.

lleretofore solid wooden shelves have been universally used forsupporting cheese during the process of curing and ripening. Suchshelves have been objectionable for many reasons, principallycn accountof the large quantities of dust which will accumulate thereon,'and whichis not readily removed except by washing the shelves, which isundesii-able, for the very obvious reason that dampness is apt to affectthe cheese injuriously. Again, such wooden shelves are apt to becomepermeated or soaked with moisture from the cheese supported thereon.Consequently when one cheese is taken away and another put in its placethe new cheese is liable to become injured or tainted. By my inventionthese obj ections are elfectually overcome, and I am enabled to cure thecheese more rapidly and in a more satisfactory manner than heretofore.

Having thus described my iuvention,wl1at I claim, and desire to secure,is-

l. The combination, with a reticnlated shelf, of a dust-pan consistingof a frame suitably covered and provided at one side with ICOupwardly-extending hooks and at the other side with anupwardly-extending spring- Catch, substantially as set forth.

et. rThe cheesesapport-ing` shelf consisting of a frame havingtransverse braces and provided With a screen of Wire-netting secured toits upper side, n Combination with adustpan secured detaohably to itsunder side and a suitable supporting-rack with which the shelf engages,substantially as and for the purpose Set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aftixedmy signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH J. SINGLEY.

Witnesses:

WALTER F. MGGINNIS, J. E. FRAMPTON.

